97 CR250

[milehighf150]

Hey guys. Im new to dirt bikes just got my first (97 cr250) about two weeks ago and i am wanting to hit some trails with some friends. They keep saying a 2 stroke 250 is to much for woods and trails and that i should down size to a 125. I'm 6'3" about 240lbs and don't want to get off and push my bike up the next hill. personally the bike feels good to me. it is fast no doubt but i was curious what some of you thought. i have to replace the rear sprocket soon, its about wore out, and some people have told me that i should change the size and slow it down a little. (it has a 49t on it now) just trying to find out some information from someone that has been on the trails and that might be able to point me in the right direction. any help will be appreciated. thanks

 

[BIGWOODY]

That bike is fine for woods...A 125 wouldn't pull you through there without being up in the powerband constantly. Some 4 strokes are easier to ride in the woods because of having torque in lower RPMs, but the initial cost and upkeep is much higher than a 2stroke. I'm 6'3" 230 lbs and ride a KX500 2stroke, I love it in the woods and it'll smoke 450's.

 

[drkelly]

I've been riding dirt bikes most of my life on trails of all types, tracks, construction sites etc, everywhere and anywhere I could get away with it. A CR250 is a great all around bike for doing everything. I have owned five of them over the years (86, 89, 93, 97, and 99 models), getting my first one when I was 15 yrs old. There is no fawking way I would ride a 125 in the woods at your size, and I am 6'2" about 190lbs. I remember my 97 model had a lot less low/mid power than my 93 and 99 models. I had to ride it in a lower gear some times, to keep it in the higher rpm range. If most of the riding you do is trail riding, and particularly if it is tight trail riding and you never get the bike wound out in fifth gear, then you could go up a few teeth on the rear sprocket to make it more ridable in the woods. Another option if you jump back and forth between different types of riding, you could buy a front sprocket with one less tooth for tight woods riding, and then swap the std one back on for wide open riding. Front sprockets are cheaper and easier to change.

 

[jeep828]

This is my 96 CR 250. I ride it only in the woods. Its fantastic. Ive actually been racing it in NCHSA Harescrambles which have been mainly trail riding. I just spent 4 1/2 hrs up at brown mountain today trail riding. I prefer the 2 stroke over the 4 strokes because its easier to crank, doesnt overheat, and maintenance is much cheaper. I'm 180lbs and mine will lug me up anything just like a 4 stroke. The CR250s in the 90s are/were great trail bikes. VERY RELIABLE. Ive had it 6 months and still havent had to replace the plug.
Grats on getting you one of these monsters!